Drawing influence from a diverse spectrum of artists, Toronto-based SWiiMS blends elements of ‘80s new wave, ‘90s shoegaze, indie rock, brit pop and dream pop together to arrive at a sound that is all their own. Singer Mai Diaz Langou and guitarist Colin Thompson started writing songs together in late 2018, uniting her elegant poetry, textured melodies and languid voice with his fuzzy, jangly, swirling guitar tones. Bassist Cian O’Ruanaidh joined shortly after, bringing a fresh voice, unique influences and hooky bass lines to the group.

Love, loss, loneliness, self-isolation, beauty, joy, nostalgia and remembrance: Into The Blue Night, was inspired by bits of all of these emotions and how they intersected during the pandemic. Produced by Josh Korody, this is their first full-length LP.“In Puzzles” is the first track, serving as an uplifting introduction, encapsulating the sense of freedom, lightness and excitement in a blossoming romance. “In Puzzles” is optimistic, with the euphoric guitar riff hitting you right in the heart, the verses wrapping you in a cozy blanket and the chorus feeling like levitation. Stefan Loebus was enlisted as the drummer, offering a blast of energy.

Sam Sussman (drums/vox), Angel Parra Vela (guitar/vox) and Cyril Harvin Musgni (bass) formed NO WAVES in Montreal when they were in their early teens. Together they create a massively energetic, raw and authentic sound that is all their own. This ‘weirdo’ punk trio has become known for their all-ages events and guerrilla shows across the city. Described as “Nu-Punk,” they draw from a wide variety of influences and explore all types of genres and sounds, ranging from hardcore to pop, without ever being afraid to leave their comfort zone. Their versatility and drive has allowed them to play with artists like NOFX, Death From Above 1979, Gulfer, and Ptit Belliveau among others.

Now, they drop their pensive and angsty EP Postcard, made up of songs written years ago with the intent of recording them before the pandemic. Since then, they have reworked them to resemble the way we play now and to sound like the energy of their shows.

“Missing All” came about in their senior years of high school as they faced uncertainty about the future. The featured track is about closing chapters as well as accepting change, leaving your comfort zone and being whoever you want.

Naghmeh is an Iranian-Canadian singer/songwriter, poet, and community organizer. She began performing as a solo artist in 2016 while living in San Francisco, and decided to abandon the corporate grind to pursue her dream of becoming a musician. Naghmeh jumped head first into the world of rock n’ roll and set off on the road over the following year with performances across Europe and South America. 

After a year on the road and a few international collaborations, Naghmeh moved back to Montreal to focus on the next step of her career. She assembled a band, performed in every corner of the city, and recorded, co-produced and released her debut album, Naghmeh and the Southern Shores, in 2019. Shortly after the album release, her longtime bandmates moved to different cities which Naghmeh poetically interpreted as a sign to close that chapter. The songs had always been her personal stories, and thus came the decision to release future music as a solo artist under the name Naghmeh. 

Naghmah speaks on her latest single “Burn” –

“In 2019, I left an abusive relationship and in the rush to move out and distance myself from the person, I left a lot of things behind. Those objects became a thread connecting me to that ex and became his excuse to remain in touch, only to make me relive those traumatic experiences. One day, I realized I had started a whole new life and didn’t need any of the things that connected me to that home and that relationship, and I felt ready to let it all go and burn it.”

With a background in Psychology and her migration journey, she uses songwriting as a tool to heal from her own personal trauma, and to connect with others who struggle to bring a feeling to the surface. Naghmeh raises awareness for the experience of the Middle Eastern diaspora, and is doing so through the art of music.